Norbelto Jiminez vs Paul Butler Preview May 11th, 2024
England’s Paul Butler will be facing Norbelto Jiminez of the Dominican Republic in Ellesmere Port, England this Saturday May 11th for the vacant IBO Bantamweight Title. Butler, a former WBO Beltholder, last fought in December when he stopped Nabil Ahmed in the second round. Jiminez was last in action in October when he halted Anyelo Munoz in the fourth round. Butler beat Jonas Sultan via a unanimous decision in 2022 to take the WBO Belt after it was stripped from John Riel Casimero but lost it in his next fight when he was stopped by Naoya Inoue in the 11th round in a unification match.
Jiminez vs Butler Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Paul Butler +425
- Norbelto Jiminez -650
My Pick
Jiminez is a 33-year-old who holds a record of 33-10-6 with 16 Ko’s and he’s been stopped four times in his 10 defeats. He’s boxed 256 rounds since making his pro debut in 2010 and has four wins, two draws and a loss in his last seven fights. Jiminez stands 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 68-inch and possesses average power as 54.5 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including his last two. However, he went the distance in his seven previous fights.
Jiminez should be given credit for sticking with boxing as he lost his first four pro fights and seven of his first eight and was stopped four times, by Oscauris Frias, Juan Carlos Payano, Carlos Reyes and Juan Pichzardo. He was thrown into the deep end right from the start of his career and was then beaten by Ruben Vicente in 2011 and Khalid Yafai by unanimous decision in 2019 in a shot at the WBA Super Flyweight Title. His last defeat came at the hands of Andrew Moloney by 10-round unanimous decision in 2022 in a shot at the vacant WBO International Super Flyweight Title.
This means Jiminez went on a 29-fight unbeaten streak from 2011 and 2019 with a few draws thrown in the mix. Along the way he’s captured the interim WBC FECARBOX, WBA Fedecentro, and WBA Fedelatin, and Dominican Republic Super Flyweight Titles. He also fought to a draw with Kohei Kono in 2014 in a shot at the WBA World Title. He is best performance was arguably a 10-round draw with former long-reigning world champion Donnie Nietes in December, 2021 in a shot at the WBO International Super Flyweight Title.
The 35-year-old Butler climbs through the ropes with a record of 36-3 with 17 Ko’s and has boxed 268 rounds since making his pro debut in 2010. He enjoyed a fine amateur career before that and was the 2010 English ABA National Championship Elite Champion. He measures 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 65-inch reach which means he gives up three inches in reach to Jiminez. Butler also has average power in his fists as 47.2 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage including his last two but eight of his previous nine went the distance.
Butler’s first loss came at the hands of Zolani Tete when he was stopped in the eighth round in 2015 in a shot at the IBF Super Flyweight Title and he was beaten again in 2018 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Emmanuel Rodriguez in a shot at the vacant IBF Bantamweight Crown. He was decked twice in the first round but also blew his chance at winning the belt by coming into the fight over weight. His last defeat came at the hands of Naoya Inoue in December, 2022 when he was stopped in the 11th round.
Since turning pro, Butler has also captured the BBBoC British, Commonwealth Boxing Council, WBO Inter-Continental, WBA Inter-Continental, and WBO International Super Flyweight Titles as well as the WBA Inter-Continental, WBO International, and WBA Continental Bantamweight Belts. Butler is 2-2 in world title fights as he beat Stuart Hall by split decision in 2014 for the IBF Bantamweight Title before moving up in weight. He’s also beaten Miguel Gonzalez, Ruben Montoya and Yoan Boyeaux.
Prediction…
Butler tried to just survive against Inoue in 2022 and hasn’t really dome much since then as his two knockout wins came against boxers with a combined record of 14-56-5. He’s also 35 years old. Jiminez certainly can’t be taken lightly despite his record as he carries enough power to do some damage. Butler is a fine boxer though and he is fighting at home in England and that should be all the advantage he needs unless Jiminez stops him. I’m expecting Butler to just enough to pull out a win here.
Butler’s skills and hometown advantage should do the trick.
Play: Butler -650 @ BetOnline.ag
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Norbelto Jiminez betting • Paul Butler betting